How Much Hotter Is Fatalii Than a Jalapeño?
Fatalii is hotter, at about 262,500 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño: about 53× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 16× to 160×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Fatalii | Jalapeño | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 262,500 SHU | 5,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 125,000–400,000 SHU | 2,500–8,000 SHU |
| Status | Unverified | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Central / southern Africa | Mexico (named after Xalapa, Veracruz) |
| Flavour | Fruity and citrusy | Grassy, green-vegetal when unripe |
| Colours | yellow, red, chocolate, white | green, red (ripe) |
The Scoville maths
The Scoville scale is linear: a pepper at 2,000,000 SHU has twice the capsaicinoids of one at 1,000,000 SHU. So the ratio is a simple division, 262,500 ÷ 5,000 ≈ 53×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (16× to 160× across the measured ranges).
In between
12 peppers sit between Jalapeño and Fatalii by typical heat.
- Red Savina248,556 SHU
- Habanero225,000 SHU
- Scotch Bonnet225,000 SHU
- Datil200,000 SHU
- Kanthari80,640 SHU
- Bird's Eye Chilli75,000 SHU
- Cayenne40,000 SHU
- Tabasco40,000 SHU
About each pepper
Questions
Which is hotter, Fatalii or Jalapeño?
Fatalii. It averages about 262,500 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño, about 53× as hot.
How many times hotter is Fatalii than Jalapeño?
About 53× using typical values (262,500 ÷ 5,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 16× to 160×.
How hot is Fatalii?
Fatalii: 125,000–400,000 SHU, unverified.
How hot is Jalapeño?
Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Fatalii and Jalapeño the same species?
No. Fatalii is Capsicum chinense; Jalapeño is Capsicum annuum.
People also compare
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- 7 Pot Douglah vs Jalapeño7 Pot Douglah 234×
- 7 Pot Primo vs Jalapeño7 Pot Primo 280×
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T vs JalapeñoTrinidad Scorpion Butch T 293×
- Naga Viper vs JalapeñoNaga Viper 276×
Sources
- Texas AgriLife Extension (Dr. Joe Masabni), 'Jalapeno & Other Hot Peppers': Jalapeño: 3,500-4,500 average
- NDSU Extension FN584 'From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!': Jalapeño: 2,500-5,000
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.